Ignacio López Tarso gives an outstanding performance in this excellent adaptation of Traven's "The Third Guest." He and his wife, Pina Pellicer, are struggling to make ends meet with their young children—they constantly reminded me of baby birds needing to be fed. He gathers and sells firewood to the local bakery, while she does laundry and repairs clothes. It’s during a wood delivery that he sees several large turkeys roasting in the bakery ovens for a wealthy landowner. The aroma and sight of these cooking birds prompts him to swear he won't eat again until he can consume an entire bird himself! He refuses food for days, but a minor disagreement between his wife and one of her customers may lead to his salvation... As he ventures into the forest with his unexpected bounty, he meets three people who offer him different kinds of "riches" in exchange for sharing. He demonstrates good judgment until a weakened individual touches his heart too deeply. His reward is a gourd filled with water from a spring said to grant life—a single drop can prevent death even for those gravely ill—though not always! Initially, he uses this power cautiously, but soon gains fame, wealth, and the attention of the Holy Inquisition. Having made it through the dangerous forest journey alongside his new companion (Enrique Lucero), can he now avoid suspicion from his own people? A simple yet very effective visual technique helps us follow their progress, and Roberto Galvadón’s direction allows us to gradually understand the decision that the main character has made—whether intentionally or not. The music fits well, as does the film's overall style, and I genuinely appreciated the combination of fantasy, sacrifice, and social commentary. It looks wonderful on a large screen, but it is worth watching regardless of how you view it.

Source on TMDB